After December’s landslide re-election, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s program to revive the nation’s economy is set to meet perhaps its stiffest challenge, the nation’s sclerotic farming industry.

TOKYO— Japan's Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano said Tuesday his ministry has been studying the feasibility of providing subsidies for farmers who sell or lend their land to younger farmers seeking to expand their operations.

TOKYO Kyodo — Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto has instructed his ministry to refrain from claiming the safety of Japanese foods, changing its stance after radiation-contamination beef was found to have been sold to consumers in Japan, sources close to the matter said Sunday.

BANGKOK — Thai authorities decided Thursday to step up measures to prevent radiation-contaminated fresh food from 12 Japanese prefectures in the vicinity of a crippled nuclear plant from being imported, by requiring “radiation certificates.”

TOKYO — Nearly two weeks of rolling blackouts, distribution problems and contamination fears prompted by a leaking, tsunami-damaged nuclear plant have left shelves stripped bare of some basic necessities in stores across Tokyo. Some people are even turning to the city's ubiquitous vending machines to find increasingly scarce bottles of water.

TOKYO — Japan’s prime minister admitted fault Tuesday in the government’s efforts to contain a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which is crippling farmers in a southern prefecture known for its prized beef.

TOKYO — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pressed Japan on Friday for quick action in planned talks on easing access to its beef market, saying he would put together a negotiating team as soon as he gets home to Washington.